Clean Up Windows 11 25H2 After Fresh Install: Remove Bloatware, Ads, and AI Safely

Windows 11 version 25H2 is largely the same as 24H2, but a clean install still includes clutter, ads, and unnecessary apps. This guide helps you set up a clean, distraction-free system using only official Windows tools—no risky registry edits or third-party scripts.

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🧑‍💻 Skip the Microsoft Account Sign-in

Windows 11 still tries to force you into using a Microsoft account, but you can bypass it.

Command Line Method (all editions):

1. At the setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
2. Type OOBE\BYPASSNRO and press Enter.
3. The system reboots.
4. When asked to connect to a network, select I don’t have Internet.
5. Choose Continue with limited setup to create a local account.

For Windows 11 Pro:

1. Proceed normally and connect to Wi-Fi.
2. When asked “Personal use” or “Work or school,” select Work or school.
3. Click Sign-in options → Domain join instead.
4. Create your local user account.

Using Rufus (for multiple installations):

1. Download Rufus and the latest Windows 11 ISO.
2. Insert an 8GB+ USB drive.
3. Launch Rufus, select the ISO, and click Start.
4. When prompted, disable the “require Microsoft account” option.

During setup, decline all offers for Microsoft 365, Game Pass, and cloud backup. Turn off all privacy toggles when asked.

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🧹 Remove Bloatware

After setup, install updates and drivers, then start cleaning up.

Remove unused apps (right-click → Uninstall):

• Clipchamp
• Teams
• To Do
• OneDrive
• Outlook for Windows
• Solitaire & Casual Games
• LinkedIn
• Xbox
• News, Weather, and other suggested apps
• Any third-party apps like Spotify or Grammarly

To manage all apps:
Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps, then uninstall what you don’t use.

Keep essentials like Calculator, Paint, and Notepad.

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🎨 Tidy the Desktop and Taskbar

Desktop & Personalization:

• Right-click desktop → Personalize → choose a static theme to disable Spotlight ads.
• Right-click taskbar → Taskbar settings:
  • Turn off Widgets.
  • Change Search to “Icon only.”

Privacy Settings:

• Settings → Privacy & security → General:
  Turn off all advertising and recommendation toggles.
• Settings → Privacy & security → Diagnostics & feedback:
  Set feedback frequency to Never.
• Settings → Privacy & security → Search permissions:
  Disable Search highlights.

Lock Screen & Start Menu:

• Settings → Personalization → Lock screen:
  Switch background from Windows Spotlight to Picture or Slideshow.
  Uncheck “Get fun facts, tips, tricks.”
• Settings → Personalization → Start:
  Turn off all recommendations and app suggestions.

Notifications:

• Settings → System → Notifications → expand Additional settings and uncheck everything (including setup reminders).

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🤖 Disable or Limit AI Features

AI integration in Windows 11 is expanding, especially on Copilot+ devices, but most of it can be turned off.

For all users:

• Settings → Privacy & security → Voice activation: disable app access.
• Settings → Privacy & security → Inking & typing personalization: turn off personalization.
• Settings → System → Notifications: disable Copilot prompts.

For Copilot+ PCs (Snapdragon X, Intel Core Ultra, AMD Ryzen AI):

• Settings → Privacy & security → Recall & snapshots: turn it off.
• To remove Recall entirely:
  • Go to Settings → System → Optional features → More Windows features, uncheck Recall.
• Search for ImageCreationHostApp in Settings → Apps → Installed apps and uninstall if found.

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🌐 Clean Up Microsoft Edge

Edge is a capable browser, but it starts with clutter and tracking. You can keep it lean with a few settings changes.

Start Page Cleanup:

1. Click the ⚙️ Settings gear on the start page.
2. Turn off Quick links and Show sponsored links.
3. Turn off Show content.
4. Scroll down to Your privacy choices, and disable personalized ads.

Edge Settings to Change:

• Profiles → Microsoft Rewards: turn off.
• Privacy, search, and services:
  • Set tracking prevention to Strict.
  • Turn off “Help improve Microsoft products” and “Save browsing data.”
  • Disable connected experiences like shopping, tab organization, and suggestions.
  • Change search engine to Google or DuckDuckGo.
• Appearance → Sidebar and Copilot:
  • Turn off Show sidebar and Show Copilot button.
  • Disable notifications and personalized top sites.
• Languages → Writing assistance:
  • Turn off “Use Copilot for writing” and “Text prediction.”
  • Switch spell check to Basic for local processing.

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🧭 Final Cleanup Tips

• Settings → System → Storage → Storage Sense: enable automatic cleanup.
• Settings → Apps → Startup apps: disable anything unnecessary.
• Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options: turn off “Automatically save restartable apps.”

These adjustments remove ads, AI features, and unnecessary clutter — leaving you with a faster, quieter, and more private Windows 11 system.

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✅ Summary

Task	Location	Purpose
Skip Microsoft Account	Setup or Rufus	Local account setup
Remove Bloatware	Settings → Apps	Free up system space
Disable Ads & Suggestions	Privacy settings	Reduce tracking
Limit AI Features	Privacy & Optional Features	Disable Recall and Copilot
Clean Microsoft Edge	Edge Settings	Improve privacy and speed

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With these changes, your fresh Windows 11 25H2 installation will feel like a clean, fast, and ad-free OS — the way it should be.